The Band: Mica Paris
The Buzz: In truth, “the buzz” should have been happening years ago — Paris had her first hit in 1988, and has had a song written especially for her by Prince. Thing is, that all of those hits have been in the U.K., and Paris never successfully made the jump across the pond. Here’s hoping that changes; her latest album, Born Again, is a masterpiece of modern R&B, alternately slick and soulful, recalling Aretha and Mary J with equal effortlessness.
Listen If: You haven’t given up on the idea of  R&B revival, or you’d take Lady Soul over Lady Gaga any day of the week.
Key Track: The desperately ecstatic “Baby Come Back,” where Paris pines for a lost lover over a bass groove and horn chart reminiscent of vintage Motown.

The Band: The Morning After Girls
The Buzz: Australian ex-pats now living in NYC, the Morning After Girls recall prime-era shoegaze outfits like Ride (whose Mark Gardener made a guest appearance one one of the group’s early EPs). Where many of their peers put emphasis on volume, the Girls know the power of a good, woozy melody. Their best moments top churning guitars with clean, aching vocals.
Listen If: Your biggest complaint about Loveless was not being able to make out the lyrics.
Key Track: “The General Public,” which could serve as the group’s mission statement: big, sawing guitars, gauzy synths and searching vocals making for a song that’s hammering and hooky all at once.

The Band: Soft Black
The Buzz: New York folk band writes stormy folk songs based on frontman Vincent Cacchione’s nightmares, imagining a kind of bizarro-world Neil Young with less polish and more paranoia.
Listen If: You’ve ever wondered what it would be like if Edward Gorey was a songwriter instead of a cartoonist.
Key Track: The loping “Ashtray Christ,” where Cacchione drawls out dark visions over a galloping beat while a lonely slide guitar moans occasionally from the shadows.